Rotary electrical switches with movable contact means between ganged stator contact sections



June 28, 1966 J. RECTOR 3,258,547

ROTARY ELECTRICAL SWITCHES WITH MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS BETWEEN GANGED STATOR CONTACT SECTIONS Filed June 50, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l @419 4a T I' WU w I' /a I w i we /Z6 34352 56;

INVENTOR d woeLfac-yv ATTO R N EY June 28, 1966 RECTO 3,

ROTARY ELECTRICAL S I CHES WITH M ABLE CONTACT MEANS BETWEEN GANGED STATOR CONTACT SECTIONS Filed June 50, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR 30 2 ([4605 L. Peon BY MM A ORNEY United States Patent 3,258,547 ROTARY ELECTRICAL SWITCHES WITH MOV- ABLE CONTACT MEANS BETWEEN GANGED STATOR CONTACT SECTIONS Jacob L. Rector, Linden, N.J., assignor to Stackpole Carbon Company, St. Marys, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed June 30, 1964, Ser. No. 379,138 26 Claims. (Cl. 200-11) This invention relates to rotary electrical switches.

More particularly, the invention relates to rotary switches for use in selectively making or breaking one or more circuits by turning a rotor to position one or more contacts in relation to a plurality of stator contacts. The invention, in this relation, is also concerned with a construction by which production costs are reduced. In another aspect, it is sought to provide a construction which is gas, dust and fluid tight, a property of importance Where, for instance, such a switch must make and break circuits in the vicinity of or even within an explosive gaseous medium.

The invention has a particular application where the switch may include a plurality of stator decks each of which has a previously defined arrangement to produce a certain arrangement of contacts or terminals for predetermined switching functions for given circuits thereby to be controlled. One or more contactors may be carried by a rotor to bridge the stator contacts; the rotor may be mounted for selective rotational stepping to effect bridging of two or more of the stator contacts thus selectively to make or break one or more circuits into which the stator terminals may be connected.

An object of the invention is to make it possible to fabricate, from a single stamping, any one of a plurality of possible different switching arrangements, utilizing one or more of such stampings disposed as diiferent stator decks in conjunction with different rotor structures, and thus to eliminate the requirement for separate design and separate production for each type of switch.

It is an object of the invention to design a switch where the results from the abrasive effects arising from movement of the rotor contacts over the stator contacts may be reduced to a minimum, and to eliminate the dangers arising from sparking between the contacts, both as to their deterioration as well as the dangers in an explosive atmosphere.

It is an object of the invention to eliminate, as much as possible, the effects of the presence of an ambient atmosphere about the components of such a switch, as, for instance, from dust and moisture.

It is an object of the invention to assure proper indexing of the rotor to assure desired positioning of the rotor contacts with respect to the stator contacts.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide an improved rotary switch which may be derived by the fabrication of standardized components for the production of many varied products.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary switch in which the moving elements are positioned so that access thereto of dust, or moisture, or explosive gases, is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a rotary switch of type indicated, indexing means which are positively operating, and inexpensive to manufacture, and in which continued use of the switch does not deteriorate indexing accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotor contact mounting which will minimize contact abrasion and arcing when the rotor is moved in relation to the stator.

It is an object of the invention to provide a stator and ing as the rotor is moved and as the rotor contact moves from one stator contact to the other.

It is an object of the invention to provide a rotor contact which will be substantially balanced in its engagement with and sliding over the stator contacts by reason of the stabilizing position of points of engagement of the rotor contact with the stator contacts even as the rotor contact bridges between stator contacts.

For certain purposes of the invention, a rotary switch may be made of one or more stator decks generally of a circular configuration and with a circular central opening. Each stator deck, as finally produced, may appear as a section or ring of an insulating material, provided with one or more contacts which extend inwardly and outwardly from the ring. Selected stator contacts may extend completely from inside the ring and thus be electrically connected to one or more stator terminals positioned externally of the ring, thus to permit making electrical connection of a stator contact to any desired circuit which is to be controlled by the rotary switch. It may be desired to have an idler contact between pairs of stator contacts which are to be connected electrically to a circuit, in order to assure smooth making-and-breaking of a circuit.

Mounted for movement with relation to the stator is a rotor. The rotor may be formed of insulating material, and carry one or more contacts radially positioned for movement over the stator contacts. The rotor is dimensioned to fill substantially the circular opening in the ring of the stator. The rotor has a plurality of radially extending recesses none of which extends to the periphery of the rotor, being closed off at their ends by the rotor rim. Within each recess or passage a rotor contact is assembled. The rotor contact may be a spring member which forces portions thereof beyond the faces of the rotor and then is outwardly pressed into secure engagement with the stator contacts.

The rotor is mounted on a shaft which is supported for rotation, whether manual or otherwise. In any suitable manner, as in association with a bearing for the shaft,

there may be positioned an indexing bell having a plurality of angled stepping cam faces. A detent spring may be retained by the shaft, and be formed with stepping detents to ride over the cam faces of the bell. A closure bell may be arranged at the side of the switch opposite the indexing bell. The stator decks and the bells may be secured in substantially fluid and gas-tight relationship by suitable means such as sealing rings between the decks and bells when the components are retained in assembled relationship by suitable fastening members.

The indexing bell may serve as an enclosure, and yet may have a stepped angled cam surface to permit accurate indexing of the rotor with respect to the stator for effective alignment of the rotor contacts with the stator contacts.

Other objects of the invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent from the description and the drawings, in which are illustrated embodiments exemplifying the invention.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction, or any particular arrangement of parts, or any particular application of any such construction or arrangement of parts, or any specific method of operation or use, -or any of the various details thereof, even where specifically shown and described here- Pafented June 28, 1966 o in, as the same may be modified in various particulars, or may be applied in many varied relations, without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, of which the exemplifying embodiments, herein shown and described, are intended only to be illustrative, and only for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the statutes for disclosure of an operative embodiment, but not to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

On the drawings, in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which are disclosed such practical constructions,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary switch embodying certain of the details of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the rotary switch of FIG. 1, to enlarged scale, parts of the indexing bell being broken away to illustrate certain details, including parts of the stator construction;

FIG. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view, substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the relationship between various of the switch components;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the indexing bell, to somewhat reduced scale;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a substantially completed stator deck for the switch and after some of the metal has been stamped out;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a rotor disc;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a detent indexing spring employed to effect the desired indexing of the rotor;

FIG. 8 is a detail view, to enlarged scale, of a portion of the cammed indexing surfaces of the indexing bell;

FIG. 9 is a detail cross-sectional view, substantially on the line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion of a metal stamping used in the formation of the stator deck of FIG. 5, dot-and-dash lines being used at some positions to illustrate the manner in which such stamping is cut away to effect the production of desired terminal and contact portions;

FIG. 11 is a perspective View, to enlarged scale, of a rotor contact;

FIG. 12 is a detail perspective view of the end portion of a type of idler contact implementing the anchoring of the idler contact in the stator deck;

FIG. 13 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of a rotor contact;

FIG. 14 is a detail cross-sectional view to illustrate the manner in which the contact of FIG. 13 is assembled with the motor; and

FIG. 15 is a detail plan view of a pair of stator contacts, illustrating the coaction therewith of a rotor wiper contact.

Rotary switch 10 (FIG. 1) may be for-med of one or more stator decks 12. In the disclosed construction, two decks are illustrated as associated. Each deck may be made up in the rnanner to be described, by molding or otherwise rigidly associating a metallic contact ring 14 within a circular insulating disc 16. These decks are held assembled, together with an indexing bell 18 and a closure bell 24 by securing means such as rivets 22, and provide a clear space 24- between them. In that clear space is positioned a rotor assembly 26 which includes a rotor disc 28 having openings 34 into one or more of which are nested rotor wiper contacts 32. Rotor disc 28 is mounted on a shaft 34 supported in a bearing 36. Rotation of shaft 34 causes contacts 32 to move over contacts 38 and 40, formed as a part of ring 14.

As a first step in the making of rotary switch it), a stamping 42 is cut out of any suitable metal, preferabl a highly conductive, easily workable metal, such as silver, silver alloy, or brass. Stamping 42 is formed to provide (FIG. 10) an outer terminal forming ring 44 and an inner contact forming ring 46. Ring 44 may have formed therewith a plurality of spaced protub-erances for forming terminals 48, each of which may be joined, by a conducting strip 50, to ring 46. Extending into spaces 52 between "70 a plurality of passages 30 may be strips 54), may he projections 54. Projections 54 preferably are provided with ends 56 turned out of the plane of rings 44 and 46 (FIG. 12) for anchoring purposes to be discussed. Indents d8 may likewise be formed in strips Sit for a similar purpose.

After stamping 42 has been formed in a form such as here shown, the stamping is embedded in a circular disc 16 of insulating material. This operation may be a simple molding operation where the material used may be any one of the well known moldable materials of high insulating qualities.

Now stamping 42, so encased in disc 16, is subjected to a further cutting operation. First a determination is made as to the desired contacts and terminals to be produced by stamping 42. By means of a suitable fixture and metal stamping tools, cuts are made in rings 44 and 46, for instance as shown by the dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 10, to produce active contacts 38 and idler contacts 40 from ring 46. Contacts 44 here shown as produced from ring 46 and projections 54, may be interposed between sets of active contacts 38. Ends 55, after contacts 40 have been cut, assure against removal of such contacts from disc 16. On the other hand, contacts 38 are connected, by strips 54, with terminals 48. It is to be noted that the cutting of stamping 42 to produce the arrangement of terminals 48 and contacts 38 and 40 of FIG. 5 is only one of the many possible products. Each stator deck -12 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) is of circular configuration providing a central circular opening 6% formed by disc 16.

Stamping 42 and disc 16 are dimensioned so that disc 16 lies between rings 44 and 45, (FIGS. 3 and 5), and covers strips 50 and projections 54. Ends 56 and indents 58 serve to anchor projections 54 and strips 50 in disc 16. Portions of ring 46 are cut away to leave only those spaced active contacts 38, and idler contacts 40 therebetween, which are to function in the particular circuitry. Likewise those parts of terminal ring 42 between the requisite terminals 48 are cut away along with any terminal protuberances which willnot be required for the particular rotary switch being produced.

Each disc 16 may be formed with a circumferential groove 61 at each of its faces 62. Such grooves are dimensioned to accommodate an O-ring 64 (FIG. 3). A plurality of apertures 66, here shown as four in number, may be spaced at intervals adjacent the peripheral edge of disc 16.

Rotary assembly 26 (FIGS. 3 and 6) may include a rotor disc 28 (FIG. 6) having a hub 68 centrally disposed with relation to an outer section 70. Rotor disc 28 is slightly thinner at outer section 70 than at hub 58. Hub 68 is provided with a shaft opening 72 at the center thereof. Opening 72 has flattened walls 74 for cooperation with flattened faces 76 of end 78 of shaft 34. Rotor disc 28 is slipped on shaft 34 so that faces 76 cooperate with walls 74 to prevent angular displacement of the disc with relation to the shaft. In outer section formed to extend radially from hub 68, and through section 70 from face 80 to face 82, and are open at these faces. These passages, which extend from hub 6-8 to a point inward of the peripheral edge of rotor disc 28, are closed off by rotor rim 84. The thickness of rotor disc 28 at outer section 70 is just sufiicient to fit and move easily between and without scraping against contacts 38 and 40, for a purpose to be described further. Outer section 70 has a portion 8 3 which is slightly greater in thickness than section 70, to cooperate with contacts 38 and 40, so as to prevent excessive play of rotor disc 28 on the shaft. Also, the diameter of rotor disc 28 is such that rim 84 extends close to the inner faces 86 of central opening 60 in discs 16 of stator decks 12 (FIG. 3). At least a portion of each opening 30 is in direct registry with contacts 38 and 40. Portion 83 also serves to prevent wear on faces 80 and 82.

The elongate axis of shaft opening 72 in hub 68 is slightly angularly displaced from a diametral line extending through a pair of openings 30 (FIG. 6). One result is that the material of the rotor is not weakened since opening 72 is out of line with the weakened portions at openings 30. In addition, it is to be noted that opening 72 may be received on end 78 whichever way the disc is faced. The difference of angular displacement of the axis of opening 72 produces a different angular relationship of openings 30 with relation to contacts 38 and 40, for a purpose to be described further.

Rotor wiper contacts 32 (FIG. 11) may comprise a U-shaped member having a base 88 and upstanding arms 90 and 92 extending from base 88. Rotor wiper contact 32 may be formed from a suitable spring metal, such as beryllium copper, or a Phosphor bronze alloy. Each of arms 90 and 92 may have flat faces 94 and 96 separated by an inwardly bowed section 98. The construction is such as to provide a spring constant such that faces 96 will be biased outwardly slightly and away from each other. Since faces 80 and 82 of section 70 are below the plane of the outer faces of hub 68, faces 96 will extend slightly outside the planes of faces 80 and 82, to be in position to engage against contacts 38 and 40.

Faces 96 are each provided with a pair of contact buttons 100 and 102. In each pair, contact buttons 100 and 102 are arranged to lie askew with relation to each other and the edges 106 and 108 of faces 96. Thus, as contact 32 is moved from one stator contact to another, any tendency of contact 32 to skew as it bridges will be minimized as the leading edge of only one of the buttons will engage a stator contact at any given instant. Also, since buttons 100 and 102 ride on contacts 38 and 40 at different radial distances, two distinct lines of wear on those contacts are utilized.

Wiper contacts 32 are dimensioned to fit within openings 30, with the free end edges 106 of faces 96 adjacent rotor disc rim 84. In this connection, open1ngs 30 are made oblong, and the effective plan dimensions of contacts 32 are those of an oblong. The dimensioning is such that end edges 106 and base 88 may engage end walls 110 and 112 of openings 30, while side edges 108 are retained by side walls 114 of openings 30. In this manner, any tendency of contact 32 to cock or improperly to position itself with relation to contacts 38 and 40 is resisted.

Indexing bell 18 (to the right, in FIGS. 1 and 3, and in plan in FIG. 4) may be formed as a stamping, and may have a flange 116 dimensioned to overlie an immediately adjacent disc 16 of a stator deck 12. Flange 1 16 may have a circular crimp 118 for the reception of an O-ring 64 (FIG. 3). A stepping indexing cam surface 120 (shown in enlarged detail in FIGS. 8 and 9) may be formed on bell 18 to extend about a circle having a diameter equal to the length of the diameter between stepping detents 122 and 124 of a detent spring 126. Cam surface 120 is formed with a plurality of pairs of angled cam flats 128 and 130, with a valley 132 between each pair (FIG. 9). The angle between cam flats 128 and 130 is such as to accommodate stepping detents 122 and 124 therebetween. Limiting indentations 134 and 136 (FIG. 1) are formed in bell 18 for engagement by a limiting detent 138 of detent spring 126, so as to limit the possible rotation of the detent.

Spring 126 (FIGS. 3 and 7) is formed with a laterally flattened shaft receiving aperture 140. Stepping detents 122 and 124 are diametrically opposed and are bent out of the plane of the disc. Limiting detent 138 is formed to extend from one edge of spring 126 and in the plane of the disc. To improve the spring action of the spring 126, cut-outs 142 and 144 are formed on opposite sides of aperture 140. As with disc 28, aperture 140 has its longitudinal axis askew with respect to the diameter extending between detents 122 and 124. Since detents 122 and 124 are 180 apart, the torsional effects produced by spring 126 on shaft 34, and of the shaft on its bearing, as the detents step over cam surface 120, are balanced against each other.

Shaft 34 may be provided with an end 78 laterally flattened along its axis to provide faces 76 (FIG. 3). Flattened end 78 is received through shaft-receiving aperture in detent spring 126, and opening 72 of disc 28. Detent spring 126 is swedged on to shaft 34 to insure a tight fit therebetween, and flattened end 78 of shaft 34 is slidingly fitted into opening 72.

Shaft bearing 36 is extended through an opening 146 in bell 1-8. Bearing 36 may have a projecting ferrule 148 in the form of teeth 150 which, after the ferrule has been extended through opening 146, may be swedged down (FIG. 3) to retain the bearing secured to bell 18. The bearing and the hell are secured together in a single operation. Spring 126 is swedged down tightly over faces 76 of the shaft. On the shaft are one or more grooves 151. O-rings 153 are slipped over the shaft and into the grooves. Then shaft 34 is fitted into bore 155 of bearing 36, the O-rings being compressed by this assembly. Now, a C-ring 157 is slipped over the extending end 159 of the shaft and is caught in groove 16 1 in the shaft, and serves to hold shaft, bearing, bell 18 and spring 126 in the assembled relationship. Decks 1-2 and rotor 28 are assembled, disc 28 being fitted on to shaft 34 between a pair of decks. The other end 154 of bearing 36 may be threaded to receive lock nuts 156-, or the like, for reception of the switch on a mounting such as a panel 158.

Bottom or closure bell 20 may be formed as a closure stamping to extend over the outermost stator deck 12 (left-hand end, FIG. 3). It may be provided with a flange 160 dimensioned to extend over the last disc 16; A circular crimp 162 may be provided to accommodate an O-ring 64 to effect a fluid, gas and dust tight seal between bell 20 and the stator deck, when rivets 22 are engaged through apertures 66.

In place of rotor wiper contacts 32, a coiled spring 164 may be used (FIGS. 13 and 14). Such spring is of a length to fit snugly but free for movement in openings 30. Spring 164, while coiled, has been shaped somewhat out of round, or to an elliptical shape (FIG. 13) so that it will not roll as it Wipes against contacts 38 and 40. Spring 164 is just long and wide enough to fit into an opening 30 and yet thick enough to extend beyond faces 80 and 82 to engage contacts 38 and 40.

Each stator deck 1-2may be formed with a certain predetermined number of stator contacts 38, idler con tacts 40, and terminals 48. A predetermined number of stator decks 12 may be combined into an arrangement. In FIG. 3, two stator decks 12 are shown so combined.

Rotor assembly 26, comprising disc 28 and its associated wiper contacts 32, or springs 1 64, arranged in openings 30, is positioned to move with relation to the stator contacts. In the illustrated embodiment, where two stator decks are employed, a single rotor is shown. The rotor contacts in this case bridge stator contacts 38 and 40 between the two decks. Thus, as seen at the upper end of FIG. 3, rotor contact 32 may complete a circuit between stator contacts 38 of two stator decks 12.

The desired number of stator decks and rotors are sandwiched between bell 20 and indexing bell 18, with O-rings 64 arranged between the bells and the stator decks, and between the adjacent stator decks. Rivets 22 or like fastening members are extended between bells 18 and 20 to maintain the components in desired assembled relationship. However, close tolerances between rivets 22 and apertures 66 are not required in that rings 64, being circular in cross-section, cooperate with grooves 61 and crimps 118 and 162, when the decks and the bells are pulled together, to cause the decks and the bells to move into and be retained in alignment.

An example of a different structure is where more than two decks 12 are utilized, two or more rotor assemblies 26 are positioned, one between a pair of decks 12. In such case, circuitry may be efiected through wiper contacts 32 from deck to deck, or all the decks. However, by turning one of the rotors over so that its opening 72 is fitted to shaft 34 oppositely to the opening 72 of the other rotor assembly, now openings 30 of one rotor assembly will be out of phase with openings 30 of the other rotor assembly. Thus, indexing of the rotor assemblies may result in wiper contacts 32 of one assembly resting upon idler contacts 40, or bridging between contacts 38 and 40 on one deck, while wiper contacts 32 of the other assembly will be making full contact with contacts 38 of another deck.

By connecting terminals 48 to a circuit to be controlled by switch 10, rotation of shaft 34 will produce rotation of the rotor assembly to provide movement of wiper con- ,tact 32 to make successive connections between diiferent stator contacts 38. As the rotor assembly moves, the action of buttons 100 and 102, riding over stator contacts 38, or their associated idler contacts 40, prevents cocking or jamming. Owing to the manner in which the side walls of openings 30 serve to support and guide rotor contacts 32, rocking of wiper contacts 32 is minimized.

As shown in FIG. 15, the space 165 between a pair of contacts 38 and 40 is such that at least one of buttons 100 and 102 will always be engaged upon one of contacts 38 and 40 of a pair. Thus an edge 108 of a wiper contact 32 will be spaced upwardly from and out of engaging relation to an edge 168 of the contact 38 or 40 toward which it is moving. Buttons 100 and 102, together with the engagement of edges 108 with walls 114, will prevent cocking, and thus prevent any such edge engagement.

Also, the riding of buttons 100 and 102 over edges 168 in passing from a live contact, 38 to an idler'contact 40 will eliminate to a great degree any danger of arcing.

As the rotor assembly is rotated by shaft 34, stepping detents 122 and 124 on spring 126 ride into the valleys between cam flats 128 and 130 to assure secure and effective indexing of the rotor assembly. The spacing between cam flats 128 and 130 is designed to efiect desired indexing of rotor contact 32 with relation to the stator contacts.

It is thus seen that a simple, eifective rotary switch has been provided in which the construction of the switch is such as to provide a substantially fluid tight, dustproof and gas tight enclosure within which the switching action by the stator and rotor contacts is effected. The simple expedient of forming indexing cams on the enclosure bell serves to minimize the cost of the switch.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular constructions, and in the methods of use and construction, and in specific details thereof, hereinbefore set forth, without substantially departing from the invention intended to be defined herein, the specific description being mere- 1y of embodiments capable of illustrating certain principles of the invention.

What is claimed as new and useful is.

1. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member having one or more contacts formed from a single sheet metal stamping, the stator members being assembled side to side and contiguously to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the'contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts, and means forming part of the contactor to prevent edge engagement between the contactor and the contacts.

2. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members, each of said members comprising a metallic member formed from a pair of substantially concentric rings and spaced straps forming connections between the rings, and an insulating band positioned on the straps but free of the rings, the metal of the rings being cut away to form one or more contacts on one side of the band and one or more terminals on the other side of the band, at least one of the terminals being connected to a contact by a strap, the stator members being assembled side to side and contiguously to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement Within the rotor to engage said contacts, and means forming part of the contactor to prevent edge engagement between the contactor and the contacts.

3. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members, each of said members comprising a metallic member formed from a pair of substantially concentric rings and spaced straps forming connections between the rings, and an insulating band positioned on the straps but free of the rings, the metal of the rings being cut away to form one or more contacts on one side of the band and one or more terminals on the other side of the band, at least one of the terminals being connected to a contact by a strap, the stator members being assembled side to side and contiguously to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

4. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member having one or more contacts, the stator members being assembled to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, and a rotor disposed in said space, the rotor comprising a body of insulating material having a plurality of passages extending therethrough, the thickness of the body being such that the body fits closely Within the space but with sufiicient clearance to move easily with relation to said contacts, at least one contactor being disposed in at least one of said passages and having limited freedom of movement within the passage and with relation to the body to project into engagement with said contacts, and means forming part of the contactor to prevent edge engagement between the contactor and the contacts.

5. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member having one or more contacts, the stator members being assembled to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, and a rotor disposed in said space, the rotor comprising a body of insulating material having a plurality of passages extending therethrough, the thickness of the body being such that the body fits closely within the space but with sufficient clearance to move easily with relation to said contacts, at least one contactor being disposed in at least one of said passages and having limited freedom of movement within the passage and with relation to the body to project into engagement with said contacts.

6. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member having one or more contacts, the stator members being assembled to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, and a rotor disposed in said space, the rotor comprising a body of insulating material having a plurality of passages extending therethrough, the thickness of the body being such that the body fits closely within the space but with sufficient clearance to move easily with relation to said contacts, at least one contactor being disposed in at least one of said passages, the passage and the contactor being shaped to permit the contactor to have limited freedom of movement within the passage and with relation to the body to project into engageent with said contacts.

7. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member having one or more contacts, the stator members being assembled to form a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, and a rotor disposed in said space, the rotor comprising a body of insulating material having a plurality of passages extending therethrough, the thickness of the body being such that the body fits closely within the space but with sufiicient clearance to move easily with relation to said contacts, at least one contactor being disposed in at least one of said passages, both the passage and the contactor being substantially non-circular in their planar dimensions and the contactor being nested in the passage to permit limited movement of parts of the contactor in the passage substantially perpendicular to the contacts to project into engagement with said contacts but to restrain the parts against any substantial movement other than relative to the passage.

8. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of stator members each member having one or more contacts of relatively thin metallic section, the contacts of the members being spaced from each other, a rotor disposed in said space with the faces of the rotor facing the contacts of the opposed members forming the space, the rotor having passages extending therethrough from face to face, a contactor disposed in one of the passages, the opening through the passage being shaped to receive the contactor and restrain the contactor from any substantial movement other than substantially perpendicular to the contacts, the contactor including a leaf resiliently propelled to extend beyond the bounds of the passage to engage the contacts, and means forming part of the leaf to move the leaf out of possible edge-to-edge engagement with any contact as the rotor is moved.

9. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of stator members each member having one or more contacts of relatively thin metallic section, the contacts of the members being spaced from each other, a rotor disposed in said space with the faces of the rotor facing the contacts of the opposed members forming the space, the rotor having passages extending therethrough from face to face, a contactor disposed in one of the passages, the opening through the passage being oblong in shape, the contactor being substantially oblong in plan and when positioned in the passage being restrained from any substantial movement other than substantially perpendicular to the contacts, the contactor including a pair of leaves resiliently propelled to extend beyond the faces to engage the contacts, and means forming a part of each leaf to move the leaf out of possible edge-to-edge engagement with any contact as the rotor is moved.

10. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of stator members each member having one or more contacts of relatively thin metallic section, the contacts of the members being spaced from each other, a rotor disposed in said space with the faces of the rotor facing the contacts of the opposed members forming the space, the rotor having passages ext-ending therethrough from face to face, a contact/or disposed in one of the passages, the opening through the passage being oblong in shape, the contactor comprising a U-shaped member including a pair of arms each substantially oblong in plan, the contactor when positioned in the passage being restrained from any substantial movement other than substantially perpendicular to the contacts, the arms being resiliently propelled to extend beyond the faces to engage the contacts, and means forming a part of each arm to move the arm out of possible edge-to-edge engagement with any contact as the rotor is moved.

11. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of stator members each member having one or more contacts of relatively thin metallic section, the contacts of the members being spaced from each other, a rotor disposed in said space with the. faces of the rotor facing the contacts of the opposed members forming the space, the rotor having passages extending therethrough from face to face, a contactor disposed in one of the passages, the opening through the passage being oblong in shape, the contactor comprising a U-shaped member including a pair of arms each substantially oblong in plan, the contactor when positioned in the passage being restrained from any substantial movement other than substantially perpendicular to the contacts, the arms being resiliently propelled to extend beyond the faces to engage the contacts, and each arm having a knob to extend beyond the face of the rotor and to engage the contact and move the arm out of possible edge-to-edge engagement with any contacts as the rotor is moved.

12. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of stator members each member having one or more contacts of relatively thin metallic section, the contacts of the members being .spaced from each other, .a rotor disposed in said space with the faces of the rotor facing the contacts of the opposed members forming the space, the rotor having passages extending therethrough from face to face, a contactor disposed in one of the passages, the opening through the passage being oblong in shape, the con tactor comprising a U-shaped member including .a pair of arms each substantially oblong in plan, the contactor when positioned in the passage being restrained from any substantial movement other than substantially perpendicular to the contacts, the arms being resiliently propelled to extend beyond the faces to engage the contacts, and each arm having a pair of knobs positioned to extend beyond the face of the rotor, the knobs being positioned on a line out of the perpendicular to the side edges of the arm and positioned to engage the contact and move the arm out of possible edge-to-edge engagement with any contact as the rotor is moved.

13. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of stator members each member having one or more contacts, the contacts being of metal of thin cross-section, the contacts of the members being spaced from each other, a rotor disposed in said space with the faces of the rotor facing the contacts of the opposed members forming the space, the rotor having passages extending therethrough from face to face, a contactor disposed in one of the passages, the opening through the passage being oblong in shape, the contactor comprising a U-shaped member formed from metal of thin cross-section, the U- shaped member including a pair of arms each substantially oblong in plan, the contactor when positioned in the passage being restrained from any substantial move ment other than substantially perpendicular to the contacts, the arms being resiliently propelled to extend beyond the faces to engage the contacts, and each arm having a pair of knobs positioned to extend beyond the face of the rotor, the knobs being positioned on a line out of the perpendicular to the side edges of the arm and positioned to engage the contact and move the arm out of possible edge-to-edge engagement with any contact as the rotor is moved.

'14. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring and at least one or more of the contacts having a terminal positioned externally of the ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in face-to-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, means in the abutting faces of the insulating rings for sealing the space against access thereto from the atmosphere surrounding the switch, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

15. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring and at least one or more of the contacts having a terminal positioned externally of the ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in face-to-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, .a groove in at least one of each pair of the abutting faces of the insulating rings, means retained in the groove and in engagement with the abutting faces for sealing the space against access thereto from the atmosphere surrounding the switch, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

16. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, grooves in.

the abutting faces of the insulating rings, means retained and compressed in the grooves for sealing the space against access thereto from the atmosphere surrounding the switch, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

17. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, closure plates assembled at and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, each of the closure plates and the abutting faces having means between them for sealing the space against access thereto from the atmosphere surrounding the switch, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

18. A rotary switch comp-rising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in facerto-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, closure plates assembled at and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, each of the closure plates and the abutting faces having recessed areas, means in the recessed areas and compressed by retention of the plates and faces in abutted relation for sealing the space against access thereto from the atmosphere surrounding the switch, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

19. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, closure plates assembled at and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, each of the closure plates and the abutting faces having recessed areas, a compressible sealing ring positioned within the recessed areas between abutting faces and between a face and a closure plate and compressed by retention of the plates and faces in abutted relation for sealing the space against access thereto from the atmosphere surrounding the switch, and a rotor disposed in said space and carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts.

20. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, closure plates assembled at and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, a shaft extending into the space, a rotor disposed in said space and carried by the shaft, the rotor carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts, and means carried by the shaft and by one of the closure plates for indexing the position of the rotor with relation to the contacts.

21. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in face-toface abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, closure plates assembled at and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, a shaft extending into the space, a rotor disposed in said space and carried by the shaft, the rotor carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts, -a resilient member carried by the shaft, and one of the closure plates having means for cooperation with said resilient member to effect indexing of the position of the rotor with relation to the contacts.

22. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members, closure plates assembled at and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, a shaft extending into the space, a rotor disposed in said space and carried by the shaft, the rotor carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts, a resilient member having a pair of diametrically opposed projections from the same face thereof, the resilient member being carried by the shaft, and one of the closure plates having a plurality of adjacent indentations, said diametrically opposed projections cooperating with said indentations to effect indexing of the position of the rotor with relation to the contacts.

23. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, and the members defining a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members and enclosed by the insulating rings, closure plates assembled and abut-ted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, a shaft extending into the space, a rotor disposed in said space and carried by the shaft, the rotor carrying :at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts, and means carried by the shaft and by one of the closure plates for indexing the position of the rotor with relation to the contacts.

24. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, and the members forming a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members and enclosed by the insulating rings, closure plates assembled and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, a shaft extending into the space, a rotor disposed in said space and carried by the shaft, the rotor carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement within the rotor to engage said contacts, a resilient member carried by the shaft, and one of the closure plates having means for cooperation with said resilient member to effect indexing of the position of the rotor With relation to the contacts.

25. A rotary switch comprising a plurality of separate and distinct stator members each member including an insulating ring and one or more contacts in the insulating ring, the stator members being assembled side to side with the insulating rings of contiguous members in faceto-face abutment, and the members defining a space between the contacts of the distinct stator members and enclosed by the insulating rings, closure plates assembled and abutted against the outermost faces of the outermost rings, a shaft extending into the space, a rotor disposed in said space and carried by the shaft, the rotor carrying at least one contactor, the contactor having limited freedom of movement Within the rotor to engage said contac-ts, a resilient member having a pair of diametrically opposed projections from the same face thereof, the resilient member being carried by the shaft, and one of the closure plates having a plurality of adjacent indentations, said diametrically opposed projections cooperating with said indentations to effect indexing of the position of the rotor with relation to the contacts.

26. A rotary switch comprising at least three stator members, each stator member having one or more contacts, the stator members being positioned side by side and contiguously to form a space between the contacts of each pair of immediately contiguous stator members, a shaft extending into the spaces, each of said spaces having a rotor disposed therein, the shaft having symmetrical non-circular portions, each rotor comprising a body of insulating material having a central opening, the central opening having the conformation of the shaft With its symmetrical non-circular portions, said body having a plurality of passages extending therethrough, the thickness of the body being such that it fits closely within the space but with sufiicient clearance to move easily with relation to the contacts, the passages being disposed at substantially equal radial angular positions and a pair of passages being disposed on the same diameter of the body, the central opening being on an axis not coincident with any diameter connecting any of the passages, each of the rotors having at least one contactor carried in one of the passages of that rotor, the rotors being mounted on the shaft by extension of the shaft through said central opening, and one of the rotors being mounted so that the angular position of its central opening with relation to its passages is the reverse of the positioning of the central opening of the other rotor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,561,930 7/1951 Klay.

2,568,050 9/1951 Bryan 20014 X 2,709,734 5/1955 Coliz 20011 2,988,606 6/1961 Allison 2001l 3,144,711 8/ 1964 Stevens.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Examiner.

J. R. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner. 

